Browsing “Comedy”

It’s TALENT TIME! Paul Anthony’s polytropic sampler, will be making a season’s close this Wednesday The Biltmore. This night promises to give fans and newcomers an eclectic serving that’ll echo through summer.

Featured acts include Antique Gold (the best seniors’ barbershop quartet in the world), hilarious comedian Ross Dauk, a George Michael tribute artist and #1 fan Bill Patazis (accompanied by live sexy sax for “Careless Whisper”), as well as prolific comedian/storyteller Devin MacKenzie. Rocking out the lineup are the always spot-on house band, and of course Paul will be joined by his co-host-in-crime, Ryan Beil. Doors at 8pm, show @ 9pm, cover charge piñata right before intermission; make sure to get some of those great vegan candies it’s stuffed with!

This Wednesday marks the end of Talent Time’s fifth season, with Paul Anthony blowing the lid off the Biltmore one last time. Can’t wait till next season to see it again? Catch Talent Time on SHAW TV or NOVUS TV. Paul will be back before the leaves change.

Talent Time hits a milestone with it’s 50th, live recorded episode at The Biltmore this Wednesday April 3rd. This landmark doesn’t just tell Vancouver’s more obscure talents; they have a voice and it breathes life into the Biltmore as well as other rising nooks and crannies of this young city. As a volunteer member of Talent Time’s crew, I thank the followers who crowd-fund our efforts to give this city one more live show.

Get out this week for the return of James Ming Kwok. Showcasing his new invention, “The Health Chair”, and performing disco hits in Mandarin (yeah, a scientist with a taste for show biz, a real modern day Carl Sagan). Also lining up to bring the show, the young singing sensation Seven Taviss, two-time Vancouver Haiku champion and personal favorite, Duncan Shields, and stand-up comedian Chris James.

Prolific hosts Paul Anthony and Ryan Beil will be kicking it OLD with the unusual games, prizes, and tomfoolery one comes to expect from Talent Time, yet never ceases to be surprised by. See you there.

Don’t know Talent Time?

Filmed in front of a live audience at the Biltmore Cabaret 1st Wed of every month and broadcast on Shaw TV. Talent Time is a unique blend of local acts that no one would expect to see on the same stage.  With Paul Anthony at the helm, Talent Time has been entertaining die-hard fans and newcomers alike since 2008. The live show is a must see. Always followed by TLC, the Biltmore’s littlest dance party, at no extra charge. I love the Biltmore, may it stay gold forever.

Some of Vancouver’s (and Canada’s, for that matter) geniuses of comedy are teaming up to bring a new web series to your screen this summer. Starting in June, The Grill will be serving up laughs around the beloved Canadian summer pastime of the cottage getaway.

Check out this recently released trailer for a taste and come back next week for another one…

The series is produced by Conor Holler (CBC’s Time Tremors, Hulu’s Anxietyville, Mental Beast). It’s written by Jordan Christianson (CBC’s Mr. D and Murdoch Mysteries) and Craig Anderson (Anxietyville and 2012 Canadian Comedy Award winner). Directed by Mike Fly (Comedy Bar 1 & 2, Versus Valerie and I am Chris Jericho). Finally, music direction is by Cameron Reed (Warp Records) and support from the Arts & Crafts roster. It’s going to be hilarious, and I hope you’ll all tune in.

Visit thegrillshow.com and sign up for their mailer to receive updates!

Just thinking about the Olio festival gets me all nostalgic. I remember way back when they held their first festival in town, many, many years ago. I think you needed to be a member of a long defunct newsgroup to get the invite. Or maybe you had to mail away 75¢ to a post office box in order to get a photocopy of the program mailed to you. Actually, I’m kidding; the Olio festival has brilliantly combined music, comedy, art, and style since 2009. This year’s program looks absolutely smashing, and I’d like to highlight some of the comedy on the bill.

CBC Radio’s This is That live on stage at the Rio Theatre in Vancouver

Yesterday evening I made sure I was in the front row at the Rio Theatre, where Graham Clark warmed up the crowd with a stand-out standup set. The main feature of the evening was the live version of the CBC radio program This is That. Add spiffy graphics, hosts Pat Kelly and Peter Oldring in person, and all their guests—ehr—voices, and you have a whole new layer of hilarity to appreciate. If you ever get a chance to see This is That live, you must go!

The comedy did not end after This is That wrapped, and the Rio Theatre played a late night 10:30pm screening of the documentary Alone Up There, exploring the contemporary culture of stand-up. If you unfortunately had to start work early this morning and declined to stay for the screening, you are in luck! TheStandupComedians.com has just released a digital download of the film which you can enjoy DRM free in the comfort of your own home! The film is just $7 here.

Tonight is the much anticipated Stop Podcasting Yourself live taping that Bob has already highlighted here at VIAwesome. Dave and Graham are two of my favourite podcasters/performers in town, and you’ll also have a chance to see not one not two, but THREE special guests, all of whom are local treasures! Comedian Alicia Tobin, Kevin Lee of the Sunday Service, and Dan Mangan! If you are not already in line at the Electric Owl, get there now! The show is going to start around 7:30pm! Actually, it’s probably best to arrive at 7pm or sooner.

Over at the Biltmore Cabaret tonight, it’s the International Sketch Showcase, featuring The Sunday Service, Charles, Pump Trolley, and Peter ‘n’ Chris all starting at 7:30pm. Then Saturday evening, for those looking for even more comedy content, it’s a special edition of Raincity Chronicles at the China Cloud, and a stand-up set at the Biltmore Cabaret. Sunday evening, the Sunday Service appropriately wraps up the festival at the Kozmik Zoo. There’s so much more to this festival; be sure to visit their website, grab a program, or try their free iPhone iPad app! See you at Olio!

We’ve partnered with Olio 2012 to bring you previews of the annual festival’s music, comedy, and fashion rosters, about to descend on every awesome neighbourhood in Vancouver between September 19 to 23! Watch for daily previews here over the next few.

Holy crow-lio! The festival is finally here! Olio 2012 kicks off today with the official opening party at Celebrities nightclub, catapulting the city into a flurry of fun for the next five days. Here’s another event from the comedy roster you’ll want to check out.

Stop Podcasting Yourself is “Canada’s favourite Podcast,” hosted by award-winning comedians Graham Clark and Dave Shumka. SPY is the only Canadian podcast that is a member of the MaximumFun Family of podcasts. The Onion AV Club called it “infectious,” and it’s topped podcast lists from the Georgia Straight and the Westender, to the Montreal Gazette.

Graham and Dave have been producing this weekly free-form comedy chat show since 2008. Hilarious guests have included the likes of Paul F. Thompkins, Brent Butt, Jon Dore, members of Picnic Face, and more. The special guest for this live taping at Olio Festival? None other than Vancouver’s Dan Mangan!

Listen to their latest episode RIGHT HERE, with special guest Pat Kelly from This is That (who performs Thursday night at the Rio for Olio!).

This Friday at the Electric Owl! Show at 7:30 | Get there early!

Tickets $15 presale available at www.oliofestival.com | $18 at the door | Included with your festival wristband purchased online or in person at Redcat or Zulu.